Last month, the eight delegates vying for the three available seats in the Murfreesoboro City Council election scheduled for April 17 (with early voting currently underway) made the safety of Murfreesboro’s citizens a priority when speaking before the League of Women Voters.
For a nonpartisan election, rallying behind equipping emergency responders with updated equipment was a quick go-to for the candidates.
“There needs to be an overhaul of the communication system and equipment for the police and fire department,” said incumbent Toby Gilley, when asked about what he would do if reelected for a fourth term. This statement was reiterated by all the candidates.
Between March 7–9, the candidates were invited to visit the Middle Tennessee Area Professional Firefighters Fundraising Office to speak with and listen to firefighters. According to candidate Connor Moss, attention to issues of communication and safety is needed to make the department more capable in protecting citizens.
“Currently the two-way radios the fire fighters use do not work when wet . . . the reception is so bad the men must use their cell phones when entering buildings. This cannot stand,” says Moss.
While all the candidates could agree that giving first responders the tools they need is essential, the ways in which Murfreesoboro would use its debt was an issue of varying perspectives. According to Moss, the proposed plan by the fire fighters would cost $14 million for radios and towers, an expense, he says, “the city cannot do without.”
Other candidates had similar views on debt. Of the candidates, three are small business owners who share their experience in business as tools for knowing how to balance a budget. Danny Brandon, Rickey Turner and Eddie Smotherman are all endorsed by the Small Business Alliance of Rutherford County.
“I don’t want to see my kids saddled with debt they did not accumulate,” said Danny Brandon when questioned on the outlook of Murfreesboro.
A lack in voter turnout in past local elections was an issue that had the candidates at odds.
“Murfreesoboro is the only city in Tennessee without district representation,” says Moss.
Eddie Smotherman, went on to say that the charter for district representation had been changed and only needs to be voted on.
But others disagree. Ron Washington, an incumbent, said, “We are already accountable to all the citizens of Murfreesboro . . . I go wherever I need to go. I like how it is, but I am open; if the citizens want to change the system I will listen.”
On a similar note, Bratcher, who has been on the council for 28 years and has been the vice mayor for 14, said, “I have never had a call from anyone that says our system is broken. People like that they can talk to any council member . . . But I would like to see the idea put on ballot.”
When the question of what the main job of a city council member was asked, Danny Brandon summed it up, saying, “We must make sure the government is protecting our citizens fiscally and physically.”
Bill Jakes said the best way to take care of the community is to be involved in it. Jakes and Ricky Turner both stressed the important of being involved with the community.
As the night of local politics came to a close and the candidates had made their last remarks on jobs, spending and the environment, it became quickly apparent that in this race no incumbent is guaranteed a seat, and the election will depend on making the right friends and enemies in the community and beyond.
